2000 Ford Focus Brakes Problems

I've been experiencing an electrical issue. I have lost power to my break lights completely. There was no warning lights or signs at all. I was pulled over and made aware by a police officer that my break light were out. I proceeded to try to replace the light itself which did not work, it only continues to blow the dust when I try. I had a mechanic inspect it and he told me there seems to be a short or possible broken wire somewhere in the wiring harness.

NHTSA ID

11429848

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

I HAD TURNED ON MY VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ORIGINALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS AND THEN SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD. I HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT I HAVE USED FOR 8 YEARS INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND HE SUGGESTED I FILE A COMPLAINT, AS IT IS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO PINPOINT THE FAULT FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE HAS OVER A DOZEN RECALLS ON IT ALREADY THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED OVER THE YEARS. SOME OTHER ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED EVER, EXCEPT FOR THE SAME VEHICLE SOLD IN CANADA. ALSO, I NEVER RECEIVED COMPENSATION FOR THE BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT THAT HAD OCCURRED AFTER 22,000 MILES HAD BEEN ON THE VEHICLE. I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE DISC AT SUCH SHORT TIME OF DRIVING A VEHICLE. LASTLY, THE CENTER CONSOLE IS UNSTABLE AND DETACHED FROM THE REAR AT THE BASE OF THE ARM REST, WHICH WAS POORLY SECURED WITH THREE 1/4 INCH WELDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524775

Incident

Jan 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, A GROWLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THEN BEGAN TO HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE DRUM. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, THE DRUM CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE GREASE IGNITING. THE CONTACT USED WATER AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID

10446122

Incident

Jan 28, 2012

Mileage

142,000 mi

ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS, THE CAR DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN BRAKING. MOST OF THE TIME THIS OCCURS WHEN EXITING FROM A HIGHWAY BUT LATELY HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON SIDE STREETS. ABNORMALLY HARD BRAKE PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND ONCE I HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE TO RETURN TO SLOW IDLE. DEALER CLAIMED TO BE UNABLE TO FIND OR REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10326766

Incident

Feb 10, 2010

Mileage

121,065 mi

2000 FORD FOCUS SE, PURCHASED NEW 04/2001 --- 06/02 - CAR DIED ON FATHERS DAY, REPLACED BATTERY WITH ONE FROM AUTO ZONE; ?/03 - AT SERVICE CALL FOR RECALL OF HARNESS WIRING, COMPLAINED ABOUT LED LIGHTS FLICKERING, NO PROBLEM FOUND; 10/05 - CAR DIED, TOWED TO FORD, BATTERY REPLACED; 12/06 - SERVICE AT FORD, COMPLAINED ABOUT LED LIGHTS FLICKERING AGAIN, NO REMEDY; 06/07 - CAR DIED, TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEALER (MY EMPLOYER), COULD NOT LOCATE PROB, CHARGED BATTERY, 06/07 CAR DIED, REPLACED BATTERY; 06/07 CAR DIED, TOWED TO CHRYSLER - REPLACED ALTERNATOR; 09/08, IGNITION LOCKED/REPLACED; 02/09 CAR DIED, TOWED TO FORD, REPLACED BATTERY; 06/09, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT 35-40 MPH. POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION MELTED. SERVICE AT DODGE (EMPLOYER) - REROUTE POSITIVE CABLE DIRECTLY TO BOLT ON CONNECTOR TO BATTERY, PROBLEM CONTINUES - CARRIED TO FORD, THEY ADVISE ALTERNATOR IS BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. ---- 9 YEARS, 5 BATTERIES, 3 ALTERNATORS, PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. DEALER CONTINUES TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS, NOT CURE THE DISEASE. SOMETHING IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN CONTINUOUSLY. NUMEROUS FOCUS OWNERS AT LEAST THROUGH 2003 EXPERIENCE SAME ISSUES. SERVICE ADVISOR ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY "REPLACE A LOT OF BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS IN FOCUSES" AND THAT "IT SEEMS TO BE INORDINATELY HIGH NUMBERS". OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR INCLUDE 3 SETS OF INFERIOR BRAKE PADS (FINALLY HAD A GOOD SET INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) AND CRACKED MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSING INTENSE VIBRATION ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. SEEKING REMEDY FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES - CONSIDERING CONSULTING ATTORNEY TO START CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FOR PAST 2 YEARS, FINALLY KNUCKLED AND BOUGHT HER A GREAT CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FOR HER PERSONAL SAFETY. I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR MYSELF AND MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE FOCUS UNTIL OTHERWISE CAPABLE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10274295

Incident

Jun 15, 2009

I PURCHASED A FORD FOCUS 2000 FROM JOHN THORTON ON THORTON ROAD IN LITHIA SPRINGS ON OR ABOUT 7/2005. I ALSO TRADED IN MY LEXUS 1991 VEHICLE WHICH I HAD JUST FIXED UP FOR 2000.00 AND PLUS THE DEALER ASKED FOR A DOWN PAYMENT OF 1200.00 WHICH I GAVE, AND I REQUESTED THEM TO ADD A WARRANTY WHICH THEY DID NOT IN THE CONTRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS WHITE AND BLACK INSIDE. I DROVE SMOOTH FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS UNTIL ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. I HAD THE BRAKES REDONE, AND SOME OTHER WORK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WORKED ON IT AND CHARGED ME SOME MORE. UNTIL I REALIZED THE MECHANIC CALLED ME NAME FOR PICK UP AND HE STATED TO ME THINKING I WAS ANOTHER PERSON, MY VEHICLE IS READY AND IT HAD 3 RECALLS ON IT IN THE PAST. I ASSUME HE MEANT ME, AND COME TO REALIZE IT WAS MY CAR HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT. EVERY SINCE THEN, MY CAR WOULD CUT OFF AT STOP LIGHTS AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER MECHANIC IT HAS A SHORT WIRE THAT CAN CAUSE A FIRE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I PLACED THE CAR IN CH 7 IN BANKRUPTCY IN 10/05 AND HE NO TRANSPORTATION EXCEPT BY BUS AND CAB. FORD DEALER IN LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122 SOLD ME A CAR WITH 3 RECALLS AS PART OF THE CAR'S HISTORY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10272899

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR AN ALIGNMENT. AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TWO FRONT SPRINGS, THE TWO REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, AND A BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I017000 (WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS AND BOLTS), BUT IT DID NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,000. UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF

NHTSA ID

10229478

Incident

May 18, 2008

Mileage

136,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING NY CAR ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE. LOW AND BEHOLD MY RIGHT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH. THEN IT STOPPED FOR A MOMENT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE CAR TO SHOP. ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP MY BARRING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE EVERYTHING LOCKED UP,GOT TO SHOP RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS SMOKING BAD. SHOP TOLD ME EVERYTHING BURNED UP COAST ME 1,200.00 TO GET BACK ON ROAD. JUST ONE OF THE MANY THINGS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10227492

Incident

Apr 18, 2008

Mileage

110,000 mi

ON 10/23/07 I INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS AND IMMEDIATLEY THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE-VEHICLE FAILED TO START. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT ,AFTER UNPLUGING THE BATTERY CABLES AND GOING BACK TO THE STRANDED CAR THE NEXT EVENING, IT STARTED . 2 DAYS LATER MY WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. ON 10/31/07 WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING AND DECCELERTAING UNCONTROLLABLY. I PULLED OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE SEATBELT LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND MAKING A LOUD TICKING NOISE. THIS HAD HAPPENED THE NIGHT PRIOR, BUT I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. MY DOME LIGHTS MAKE A SCREECHING NOISE AND BLINK ON AND OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. WHENEVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS I AM DRIVING HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND OF COURSE THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN TO HELP ME . MY CAR IS ALMOST PAID OFF AND I WILL NOT INVEST MORE THAN WHAT IT IS WORTH, WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT $2,500.TOO BAD I HAVE PAID ABOUT $18,000 FOR IT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECALLS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1. 1ST MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RUNNING AIRBAGS, MIRRORS, DOORS ETC. FAILED. 2. 37,000 MILES- TRANSMISSION FAILED 3. 42,000 MILES- POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND SOON AFTER PASSENGER DOORS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. 4. ALL WINDOW TRACKS HAVE FAILED. 5. WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. 6. TRUNK LATCH FAILED 7. IGNITION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AND IS GOING AGAIN. 8. BROUGHT IN FOR 1 RECALL (FUEL FILTER) AND STILL DIDN'T CORRECT PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION AND LURCHING. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT EXCEEDS HIGHWAY SAFTEY RATINGS? SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS IF I MUST HIRE AN ATTORNEY- I AM OUT A LOT OF MONEY AND NO VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10207593

Incident

Oct 31, 2007

Mileage

12,500 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD FOCUS & THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR COLLAPSED ON THE FRONT TIRE. I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES AND HOUR SECONDS BEFORE I FORTUNATELY SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP...NOTICED A NOISE LIKE A FLAT TIRE, SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT JUST BEFORE IT COLLAPSED ON THE ROAD, I AGAIN THANK GOD, I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND TO GO BACK HOME & IMMEDIATELY UPON THAT TURN AROUND THE CAR COLLAPSED. THESE RECALLS SAFETY CAMPAIGNS ARE RISKING MY LIFE, BUT TERRIFIES ME FOR MY NEWLY DRIVING SON BEHIND THE WHEEL. AS IF THAT IS NOT BAD ENOUGH, I NOW HAVE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ALSO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION---UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY....CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE TOWED CAR LOCKED UP..STEERING EVERYTHING. COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED FROM $382.00 FROM FORD SERVICE DEALER...MEANWHILE THE HUGE INCONVENIENCE CAR PARKING FEES..FOR BEING IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

10162941

Incident

Jul 18, 2006

REAR DECK LID BRAKE LIGHT INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE TO VIBRATION WITH PUSH IN BULBS. JUST CLOSING TRUNK CAUSES BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NOT A RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161391

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

81,000 mi

I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN I HIT A SMALL POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. SOON AFTER I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TAKE TURNS. AFTER BRINGING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD SHATTERED. AFTER HAVING THESE FIXED AS THEY WERE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BY THE MANUFACTURER I AM TOLD THAT COINCIDENTLY I HAVE NEW FRONT SUSPENSION AND ABS ISSUES WHICH THOUGH MOST LIKELY WERE CAUSED BY THE COIL STRING MALFUNCTION WILL NOT BE COVERED AS SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE AND I AM ON MY OWN. HAD THE DAMAGE TO THE COIL SPRING NOT OCCURRED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO ISSUES WITH THE ABS OR FRONT SUSPENSION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10160431

Incident

Jun 10, 2006

Mileage

107,000 mi

BOTH OF MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE TRUNK LIGHT WORKS FOR BRAKING, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WORK, BUT NOT FOR BRAKING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10158164

Incident

May 22, 2006

Mileage

40,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARRANT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED; SMOKE ERUPTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION THE RIM WAS BLACK AND THERE WERE METAL PIECES ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN VERY SLOWLY 25 MILES TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL HUB DUE TO THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE BRAKES LOCKING UP.

NHTSA ID

10156872

Incident

May 4, 2006

Mileage

120,000 mi

FOR ALMOST ONE MONTH, LOUD HUMMING IN FRONT RIGHT AND BOTH REAR WHEELS AND LOUD REAR SQUEAKING ON BRAKING REVEALED, AFTER 4/20/06 INSPECTION, FAILED WHEEL BEARINGS IN OUR FORD FOCUS SE 2000 IN RIGHT FRONT AND BOTH REAR WHEELS. BOTH REAR CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING FLUID AND RIGHT BRAKE DRUM WAS FAILING. MANY OF THE FORD FOCUS VINS ISSUED DURING 2000-2001 MANUFACTURING YEARS HAD WHEEL-BEARING FAILURE ISSUES AND CONSEQUENT RECALLS. WE WERE INFORMED BY "MARIA" AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY, TODAY THAT OUR VIN WAS NOT ONE THAT HAD A WHEEL BEARING ISSUE. HOW, THEN, COULD THREE OF OUR FOUR SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL? ULTIMATELY, FAILED WHEEL BEARINGS CAN LEAD TO WHEEL FAILURE AND DETACHMENT LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH. WHY ISN'T THE NHTSA ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD, AS THE MANUFACTURER APPEARS TO BE SIDESTEPPING ITS ETHICAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. WE SPENT OVER $1,000 ON THIS REPAIR. NINE MONTHS AGO, OUR FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED, WHICH COULD ALSO HAVE LED TO A FATALITY. FORD ASSISTED US THEN, BUT IS DOING NOTHING TO HELP US NOW. PLEASE NOTE THAT BECAUSE ON ONGOING TEAMSTERS STRIKE, MOST FORD DEALER SHOPS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE CUSTOMER SERVICE OR SUPPLY NEEDS AT THE TIME WE SOUGHT SERVICE. WE SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR OF WHEEL BEARINGS, REAR DRUMS AND CYLINDERS/LINING. WHEEL BEARING SERVICE REIMBURSEMENT IS ESSENTIAL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10155961

Incident

Apr 20, 2006

Mileage

69,700 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. THE CONTACT DOWN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE SHOE BROKE AND SEVERED THE BRAKE LINE. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKE LINES, SHOES, AND CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE RESURFACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10152743

Incident

Mar 7, 2006

Mileage

60,200 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES MAKE NOISES AND PULSATED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCHES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO TURNED THE DRUMS, REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS. THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. THE LOWER BALL JOINT, RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS, RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK, BONE SOCKET, STEERING RACK COLUMN AND TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE TAIL LIGHT COVERS RETAINED MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION BUILT UP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT COVERS AND FUSES THAT WERE BLOWN DUE TO THE MOISTURE. LASTLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR SEAT WAS LOOSE AND UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DISCOVERED AN ANCHOR AND HINGE PROBLEM. THE BACK HINGE AND PILLAR WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10148223

Incident

Oct 25, 2000

Mileage

275 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF PUT ON THE BRAKES, THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO REAR END THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. SHE HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CHECKED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS ALSO FAULTY. *NM

NHTSA ID

10146381

Incident

Dec 19, 2005

Mileage

28,000 mi

BRAKES WILL NOT WORK WHEN CAR FIRST DRIVEN IN MORNING. HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING SOMEONE. FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS. THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ALONG WITH THE WATER LEAK, BAD IGNITION KEY TUMBLER AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. IT HAS BEEN ROTTEN FROM THE GET GO. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! *NM

NHTSA ID

10145048

Incident

Dec 11, 2005

Mileage

66,000 mi

MY CAR WAS KEPT UP TO DATE ON MAINTENANCE AND RECALLS. APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS BEFORE MY ACCIDENT, MY HUSBAND EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT DELAY IN BRAKE RESPONSE ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING. HE CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND LOOKED FOR LEAKS. EVERYTHING SEEMED GOOD. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED A PROBLEM. ON THE DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, I DROVE TO WORK AND MOST OF THE WAY HOME. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO MAKE A 90 DEGREE TURN. THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THAT I HAD KNOWLEDGE OF A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES, WITH NO INDICATOR OR WARNING LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED TO ALERT ME OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. AS A RESULT, I CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE, INJURING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER. MY 2000 FORD FOCUS SE IS TOTALED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10143509

Incident

Nov 7, 2005

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY 2000 FORD FOCUS WOULD NOT START ON 6/29/05 SO I HAD IT TOWED TO TOWN & COUNTRY FORD ON 6/30/05. PRIOR TO THE TOW TRUCK LEAVING, I CHECKED THE LIGHTS, HORN, ETC TO MAKE SURE ALL WORKED BEFORE FORD WORKED ON THE CAR. THEY DID. WHEN THEY SERVICE MAN JOHNNY GARDNER CALLED ME THAT AFTERNOON TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE HE STATED " THE GROUND SCRAP WIRE , AND IGNITION SWITCH NEED TO BE REPAIRED" I TOLD HIM THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I HAD IT REPAIRED 1 MONTH EARLIER. JOHNNY THEN CHANGED THE STORY STATING " JUST THE GROUND SCRAP WIRE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED". I HAD THEM FIX THAT PART AND WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET A CAR SWERVED INTO MY LANE AND WHEN I WENT TO BLOW MY HORN IT DID NOT WORK. I SLOWED DOWN AND MY BRAKES MADE A HARD GRINDING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOWN & COUNTRY FORD ASKING THEM WHY WAS MY CAR HORN NOT WORKING, AND THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. THEY REPLIED " I COULD BRING THE CAR BACK AND PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED". I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED THE HORN COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE SOMEONE UNHOOKED THE COMPONETS UNDER THE HOOD, AND TO FIX IT FORD CAN ONLY GET THE PARTS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE AXLE ON MY RIGHT BRAKE WHEEL WAS SPLIT. PRIOR TO TAKING THIS CAR TO TOWN & COUNTRY FORD I HAD NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD BY TOWN & COUNTRY FORD TO CHECK MY REPLACE THE RELAY SWITCH TO THE HORN. I DID AND THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE CAR WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. MY CAR WAS FINE PRIOR TO TOWN & COUNTRY FORD'S WORK. *JB

NHTSA ID

10140945

Incident

Jun 30, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. THE FIRST TIME, SHE WENT TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE THIRD FAILURE HAPPENED THIS WEEK, WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE STARTER ALONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK IN DEC 2001 THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES AND THE REAR AXLE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEATER DID NOT WORK. THE EGR TUBE WAS REPLACED. THE WIPER ARM WAS BROKEN. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL TIME. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10140391

Incident

Mar 14, 2004

Mileage

32,079 mi

WHEEL BEARINGS IN MY 2000 FORD FOCUS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 8 TIMES ALREADY. ALL PARTS HAVE BEEN FORD FACTORY PARTS. RECALL FROM 2000 ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN 2001 BUT PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED. FORD MOTOR CO. HAS BEEN CONTACTED REPEATEDLY IN REGARDS TO THIS BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN CONTACTED BUT THE KEEP REFERRING BACK TO FORD. COPIES OF ALL REPAIR BILLS IS AVAILABLE. IT APPEARS THAT WHEEL BEARING #9 IS ABOUT TO GO ALSO. BREAKDOWN AS FOLLOWS: RIGHT REAR 3 TIMES LEFT REAR 2 TIMES RIGHT FRONT 2 TIMES LEFT FRONT 1 TIME IN ADDITION, REAR DRUMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY (ON THE AVERAGE OF EVERY 18-20 MONTHS). MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT OF WHEEL BEARING ON 3/4/05 CAN YOU PLEASE HELP! *JB

NHTSA ID

10137950

Incident

Mar 3, 2005

Mileage

21,101 mi

PURCHASED 2000 FORD FOCUS, VIN [XXX] FROM CROFT FORD ON DEC. 19, 2001; MILEAGE WAS 12,163 (CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY); HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO WALK SINCE MARCH OF 2002 (MILEAGE ON CAR IS NOW JUST OVER 13,000; LAST 200 PLUS MILES HAS BEEN PUT ON BY FORD DEALERSHIPS ATTEMPTING TO FIX CAR). HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS; NONE OF WHICH CAN SOLVE PROBLEM OF ENGINE SURGES; DASH LIGHTS SWEEPING; TRANSMISSION BOLTING; ETC., ETC., ETC. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE; I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY; THE DEALERSHIPS, ETC., AND FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER "MANUFACTURER WARRANTY" .. INSTEAD LATEST WAS THAT FORD DEALERSHIP WANTED $500 TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND COULD NOT GUARANTY THAT WOULD FIX PROBLEM; I ALREADY PAID $105; PLUS $110 AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA, FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, WHICH LEAVES MY FAMILY WITHOUT A CAR TO TRANSPORT ME. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I TOLD TODD CROFT OF CROFT FORD THAT I NEEDED A GOOD, DEPENDABLE, SAFE CAR BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE THE LAST CAR I EVER PURCHASED. HE KNEW THAT I DID NOT DRIVE MUCH AT ALL AND I FEEL THAT HE SOLD THE CAR (WITH AN EXISTING PROBLEM) TO ME THINKING THAT I WOULD NEVER KNOW. MY DAUGHTER WAS THE ONE WHO REALIZED THIS CAR HAD A SERIOUS DEFECT AND TOOK IT TO CROFT FORD TO BE FIXED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO; TO DATE, IT STILL IS NOT FIXED; IS A DANGER TO DRIVE, NOT ONLY TO THE PERSON/OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR, BUT TO ANY VEHICLES NEAR WHEN THE POWER SURGES OCCUR AND THE TRANSMISSION BOLTS. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10137913

Incident

Jul 26, 2005

Mileage

12,685 mi

WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE 2000 FORD FOCUS THE AIR BAG SENSOR BROKE, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAL AND LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THE IGNITION LOCKED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED OR MOVED DUE TO THE LOCKED IGNITION. NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THE BRAKES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $280.27. THE IGNITION HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER. *NM

NHTSA ID

10137360

Incident

Sep 9, 2005

Mileage

83,451 mi